No Air Canada Vancouver-Yellowknife service affects tourism

The tourism industry in Yellowknife is worried Air Canada’s decision to cancel direct flights from Vancouver to the N.W.T.’s capital earlier this summer will reduce the number of visitors.

Japanese tourists often travel to Yellowknife between November and April to see the northern lights.

Although connecting flights are available through Edmonton or Calgary, they are more inconvenient because travel times are greater.

Without direct service from Vancouver, many hotel owners are concerned about the effect on the local economy.

Japanese tourism dollars are the bread and butter of area’s hospitality industry, according to Jenni Bruce, general manager of the Chateau Nova Hotel and Suites in Yellowknife.

Bruce said bookings are down by 25 per cent since the cancellation, adding that she wouldn’t know the true effects of the change until November or December.

"We just got a sales agent in Japan to focus on marketing in Japan," Bruce said. "For us to invest that money, it’s discouraging and going to make it more challenging to market."

Bruce said the N.W.T. tourism board had sent a letter to Air Canada to find out why they cancelled the service but has not heard a response from the airline.

Bruce also said hotel owners would be discussing the issue at a general meeting later this month.